Jas10

5 minutes ago, Reivax_Villa said:

Facts

Jeremy Frimpong was at Celtic before Leverkusen..

We can sign these players for a lower price and let them grow to that level with us..

We are doing that with Rogers i am sure we can do that again.

Hopefully Nedeljkovic is that guy…

Don’t think Sousa is though, or won’t be for a while, barely any minutes on loan at Plymouth. 
 

We’ve tried to move Digne on a few times (were linked to Acuna (that boat must have sailed, too old) and even Tavares (can do much better) as replacements) so it’s quite likely that will happen now and his value will have risen with the game time he has had and performances he has put in… maybe we get a decent offer this time.

Then we can reinvest in a younger LB that fits the profile Unai wants and needs.

Obviously no complaints if he stays and it will mean Unai is suitably happy with him and how he has adapted… and the wages aren’t seen as an issue. That seems unlikely though… he’s not getting any younger and won’t be able to keep up his levels for long… which isn’t ideal for a player on such a big contract.

Digne has performed admirably for us, especially last year, but he has visible limitations and there is a reason that Unai brought Moreno in and he was the first signing of his own, complete choosing.

Moreno can run with the ball, has pace, and help us cut through teams. Even when not fully match fit or sharp, Unai reintroduced him into the side because he gives us something different and more suited to the style that we want to play… I’m really looking forward to having him back to his best (and linking up with JJ) like a few other players.

Digne is more of a steady player and mostly relies on crosses, more of a “stand and deliver” LB… and I’m not sure to what extent that benefits us and if that is what Unai really wants. Not like we have many great headers of the ball or are all that tall, strong or physical either… we prefer to play the ball on the ground (which I love).

Then you have his age and wages to take into account…

There are more suitable players with more longevity (worth bringing in younger players that will stick with us and develop and improve in the longer term) out there…

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Similarly, for all his work ethic, Cash has limitations that have been exposed and is a player we can improve on to make us a stronger and more effective team.

If we’re going to be compete in the CL, which is a big step up, then we need to increase both the quality of the first 11 and the amount of quality options/depth so we don’t suffer and struggle as we did at times this season.

A quality DM is a MUST. Then we can have the players who have had to fill in play in their best positions and thrive in them. I’m sure we will be stronger and in a better place… we need to be.

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We have to improve on our defending too, including from set pieces… whether that’s a personnel and/or coaching issue… it has to be addressed, very important. We have to be stronger, more robust and resilient defensively. Going to face a lot of challenges.

There actually isn’t anything Unai has ever said that has sounded negative or worrying on this…

Again, I just feel like the journos are making a bigger deal of it (controversy or negativity sells and attracts clicks) than it really is and don’t actually have any genuine insight into what is going on at the club and what our plans are…

3 minutes ago, CarryOnVilla said:

It’s a hypothetical question, if the scenario does come up that we need to sell. So as fans, who do we feel, will have the biggest fee and the meat impact on leaving 

No worries mate… but I’d rather not even think of selling anyone of value and importance. Everyone else carry on though…

We’ve achieved something huge… it’s not just a dream for us fans but the players too… I see them relishing turning out for us in the elite club competition…

A really positive moment… I’d like to stay in that mindset and fully appreciate it.

Why would anyone want to leave? They love life with Unai and we are flying…

Don’t think we need to sell anyone, I don’t believe that… just, if a big offer comes in it may be considered and for the player to decide on…

We have enough “deadwood” to shift and make money from imo…

Yep… sort the future of our players first and foremost then bring in better:

Just now, CarryOnVilla said:

Sooo, which key player could we live without, easily replace and gain us the capital needed? 

I don’t think a key player is leaving and maybe that’s why we don’t go crazy in terms of transfer spend… retain our core and quality and reintegrate the injured players who will have plenty to offer.

I only see a top player leaving IF we receive a big or crazy offer and the players wants to leave (why would he?)… no one to go on the cheap…

We’re gonna be fine… and kick some more ass! Strong and competitive in both the league and THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!!!

Let’s focus on that achievement and how excited our players will be to play in that competition with our club!!

It’s easy to misinterpret his comments and get the context wrong… to dwell on what appears negative and ignore what is positive:

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 I think we can be intelligent and build a strong team to compete in the Champions League, the Premier League and the cups."

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Of course, we are going to be very demanding in getting the best possible to improve the squad. But we have to work now, deeply analysing it

Personally… I think a lot of this stuff gets overblown, especially by journos who want clickbait headlines…

We will definitely be signing players… but it could be 2-3 rather than, say 5 for example.

Never said it would be difficult to sign any players… or that we won’t be strengthening…

7 minutes ago, Adam2003 said:

Personally I’d love this. 2-3 quality additions and not lose anyone key is my ideal.

Tbf, it’s arguable that that’s all we really need if everyone is fit and approaching form or sharpness…

Imagine a fully fit and firing Mings, Buendia, Ramsey and Moreno… all back to their best next season… that’s a big boost.

Kamara to return later…

But I’m sure we will still add genuine quality and be much stronger than the squad we have had and who has been available this season.

CL is a big step up but I do feel that the ECL adventure has provided a some decent experience and has been really useful…

1 minute ago, duke313 said:

Could be a quiet summer

Na… not quiet… gonna be busy one way or another.

Maybe we prioritise shifting players first and making room and freeing up funds to add genuine quality where we need it.

Mings and Buendia will be back to boost us, Kamara will take longer…

Plenty of players will leave… Lenglet, Zaniolo, Sanson hve already left… then we have the likes of Chambers, Archer and possibly more youngsters like Kesler and Iroegbunam to move on…

Need to get deals sorted for Coutinho (linked with move back to Brazil and asking price of 5-7m iirc) and Dendoncker ( can’t see it being easy to get a decent fee and someone to pay his wages)…

Hause will be moved on at some point, Olsen perhaps…

If decent offers come in for Cash and Digne (especially) I’m sure they’ll be seriously considered… maybe even Carlos.

Can’t really say what’s going on and what will happen with Duran…

Get most of that sorted and we can bring in some big guns aswell as some intelligent frees or low cost signings (players on expiring contracts)…

Hermoso may happen first.

I’m sure it will be busy… Monchi has a lot to get done…

We have to strengthen to be competitive in the CL and to do well in the league… it will happen.

1 hour ago, Teale's 'tache said:

I just couldn't help but try a Champions League badge on a design, and then I got a bit carried away...

 

47 minutes ago, alreadyexists said:

Ignore the colours and imagine claret and blue, and that would be a beauty 

GIVE ME MORE UNAI CONTENT

It’s not the technology that is the problem, it’s the divs that use it! Only… Unai is far too polite and respectful to say anything like that

Good job we didn’t have Barkley this season, in the Castore shirt… pitch would’ve been flooded in every game  

2 hours ago, CVByrne said:

I don't think Luiz will leave because I don't think there is a market for him. Who is looking for the creative 6/8 who can afford to pay 80m+ and wouldn't be going for Guimaraes who is slightly the better player and at a club who needs to sell probably one top player.

The interesting thing with Luiz is if he signs a new contract or not. This summer / autumn is when we should be offering him one. 

I still think of we need a sale Ramsey is less key to us than Luiz. Take the Villa fan emotion out of it like Emery and Monchi will and that's the player. Cash is another who could bring in a decent fee too £20m+